Disc golf target and method of use

ABSTRACT

A disc golf target includes a disc-receiving basket which is connected to an upper assembly by a variable length pole so that the distance between said disc-receiving basket and said upper assembly can be changed. In another embodiment, the upper assembly has a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members, each of which has a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations. An arrester can be connected to any of the arrester receiving stations. In another embodiment, the disc-receiving basket includes a plurality of radial ribs. Each radial rib has an outermost section which is oriented substantially parallel to a central pole.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

None

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention pertains generally to the game of disc golf, and more particularly to a disc golf target.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Disc golf is a game in which players throw a flying disc at a target. The players attempt to complete a course of targets in the least number of throws. Disc golf courses are typically located in parks or other open areas. The target consists of an upstanding structure which has a disc-receiving basket, an upper assembly, and a pole connecting the two. A plurality of arresters, typically chains, hang down from the upper assembly. The arresters stop the motion of the disc so that it falls into the disc-receiving basket.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a disc golf target and method of use. In one embodiment, the height of the target can be varied. In another embodiment the width of the target can be varied. And in another embodiment, the disc-receiving basket is shaped to better capture thrown discs.

In accordance with an embodiment, a disc golf target includes a disc-receiving basket. An upper assembly is connected to the disc-receiving basket by a variable length pole which allows a distance between the disc-receiving basket and the upper assembly to be changed.

In accordance with another embodiment, a plurality of arresters are connectable to the upper assembly. The upper assembly includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members. The radial arrester-receiving members each have a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations, each arrester-receiving station is shaped and dimensioned to removably receive an arrester.

In accordance with another embodiment, two radial arrester-receiving members are connected to form a generally V-shaped structure.

In accordance with another embodiment, the disc-receiving basket includes a plurality of radial ribs. Each radial rib has an outermost section which is oriented substantially parallel to a central pole.

In accordance with another embodiment, each radial rib has a middle section which is connected to the outermost section, and which is angled about 30° with respect to the outermost section.

In accordance with another embodiment, the upper assembly includes a hexagonal wall.

In accordance with another embodiment, the upper assembly includes a circular arrester-reviving member which removably receives the plurality of arresters.

Other embodiments, in addition to the embodiments enumerated above, will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disc golf target and method of use.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a disc golf target;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the disc golf target;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the disc golf target;

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the disc golf target in an extended position;

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the disc golf target in a contracted position;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged top plan view of an upper assembly;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged perspective view of the upper assembly;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged side elevation view of a pair of radial arrester-receiving members;

FIG. 9 is an enlarged perspective view of the pair of radial arrester-receiving members;

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of a disc-receiving basket radial rib;

FIG. 11 is an enlarged side elevation view of a circular arrester-receiving member;

FIG. 12 is an enlarged top plan view of the circular arrester-receiving member;

FIG. 13 is an enlarged perspective view of the circular arrester-receiving member;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of the upper assembly with an arrester positioned at a first arrester-receiving station;

FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of the disc golf target with the arrester positioned at the first arrester-receiving station;

FIG. 16 is an enlarged end elevation view of the radial arrester-receiving member with an arrester attached;

FIG. 17 is an enlarged side elevation view of area 17 of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the upper assembly with the arrester positioned at a second arrester-receiving station;

FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of the disc golf target with the arrester positioned at the second arrester-receiving station; and,

FIG. 20 is a side elevation of the disc golf target receiving a thrown disc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring initially to FIGS. 1-3, there are illustrated perspective, side elevation, and top plan views respectively of a disc golf target generally designated as 20. FIGS. 4 and 5 are side elevation view of disc golf target 20 in extended and contracted positions respectively. In the shown embodiment, disc golf target 20 includes a disc-receiving basket 22 and an upper assembly 24 which is connected to disc-receiving basket 22 by a variable length pole 26 which allows a distance between disc-receiving basket 22 and upper assembly 24 to be changed. In the shown embodiment, pole 26 includes an inner pole which telescopes within an outer pole. The inner pole has a plurality of through hole sets which can be selectively aligned with a through hole set 28 in the outer pole. A pin 30 is then inserted by a user to lock the inner and outer poles together. In FIG. 2 the vertical distance D (height) between basket 22 and upper assembly 24 is positioned to a mid value. The distance is measured from the bottom of upper assembly 24 to the top of disc-receiving basket 22. In FIG. 4, pole 26 has been extended so that the vertical distance is now D1 which is greater than D. Similarly, in FIG. 5, pole 26 has been contracted so that the vertical distance is now D2 which is less than D. In this fashion the height of disc golf target 20 can be selectively varied to result in the larger target of FIG. 3, the shorter target of FIG. 4, or sizes in between. Of course, the larger target of FIG. 3 is less difficult for a disc golf player to hit. In an embodiment, D1 is 23 inches and D2 is 8 inches (a 15 inch difference between maximum and minimum distance. Also in the shown embodiment, pole 26 downwardly extends from disc-receiving basket 22 and connects to a base 32 which rests upon a support surface 500 such as the ground of a disc golf course.

It is noted that in FIGS. 1-5 the plurality of arresters 34 which are connectable to and hang down from upper assembly 24 have been omitted for clarity. The general envelope of arresters 34 is shown in broken lines in FIGS. 2, 4, and 5. FIG. 20 shows a complete set of hanging arresters 34 which in the shown embodiment are chains. Arresters 34 stop the motion of a thrown disc 600, thereby causing disc 600 to fall into disc-receiving basket 22 as is well known in the art.

FIGS. 6 and 7 are enlarged top plan and enlarged perspectives views respectively of upper assembly 24. It is noted that in FIG. 6, a plurality of arresters 34 are shown hanging from upper assembly 24. Upper assembly 24 includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members 36. That is, radial arrester-receiving members 36 outwardly radiate from the center 37 of upper assembly 24. In the shown embodiment there are 12 radial arrester-receiving members 36, each spaced 30° apart. Radial arrester-receiving members 36 each have a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations 38 (holes in the shown embodiment), each of which is shaped and dimensioned to removably receive an arrester 34. That is, an arrester 34 can be selectively hung from any of the arrester-receiving stations 38 of a particular radial arrester-receiving member 36. As is discussed under FIGS. 14-19 below, the plurality of arrester-receiving stations 38 permit the width of disc golf target 20 to be varied. It may be appreciated that the number of radial arrester-receiving members 36 and the number of arrester-receiving stations 38 can be more or less than shown.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 6-7, two radial arrester-receiving members 36 are connected to form a generally V-shaped structure having a rounded vertex 40 (also refer to FIGS. 8 and 9). In the shown embodiment, one leg of the V-shaped structure has five arrester-reviving stations 38, one (the outermost) of which is elongated, and the other leg of the V-shaped structure has four arrester-receiving stations 38.

In the shown embodiment, upper assembly 24 include a hexagonal wall 42 which surrounds radial arrester-receiving members 36. Hexagonal wall 42 serves as a secondary (to arresters 34) disc target. Hexagonal wall 42 causes a disc 600 which strikes it to drop into disc-receiving basket 22 if the disc 600 is travelling perpendicular (or nearly perpendicular) to one of the six faces of hexagonal wall 42. However, if a disc 600 is travelling at an angle rather than perpendicular to a face, the disc 600 will tend to be deflected away from disc golf target 20. As such, a user is rewarded by causing disc 600 to perpendicularly strike a face of hexagonal wall 42.

Also in the shown embodiment, upper assembly 24 includes a circular arrester-receiving member 44 which removably receives a plurality of arresters 34 (twelve in the shown embodiment) (also refer to FIGS. 11-13). Circular arrester-receiving member 44 includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart (30° as shown) arrester-receiving stations 46, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to receive an arrester 34. That is, in the shown embodiment (refer specifically to FIG. 6) 12 arresters 34 can be hung from circular arrester-receiving member 44. If 12 arresters are also hung from arrester-receiving stations 38, then disc golf target 20 will have a total of 24 arresters. It is noted however that if all arrester receiving stations 38 were filled with arresters 34, then disc golf target 20 would have a total of 66 arresters 34; nine for each V-shaped radial arrester-receiving member 36 pair times six pairs plus the 12 arresters which hang from circular arrester-receiving member 44 (9×6+12=66). Generally speaking as the number of hanging arresters 34 is increased, there is a tendency for disc golf target 20 to capture and hold discs 600. Conversely, as the number of arresters 34 is decreased, discs 600 are more likely to pass through disc golf target 20 without being captured.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are enlarged side elevation and enlarged perspective views respectively of a pair of radial arrester-receiving member 36. Two radial arrester-receiving members are connected in a generally V-shape which has a rounded vertex 40. One of the radial arrester-receiving members has five arrester-receiving stations 38 and the other has four.

FIG. 10 is an enlarged side elevation view of a disc-receiving basket radial rib 48. Also referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, in the shown embodiment there are a plurality of 12 spaced apart radial ribs 48. Each radial rib 48 has an outermost section 50 which is oriented substantially parallel to pole 26. This contrasts with that of prior art baskets in which the outermost sections are outwardly angled. As such, the radial ribs 48 of the shown disc-receiving basket 22 tend to better capture a thrown disc 600 and prevent it from bouncing out of disc-receiving basket 22 (refer also to FIG. 20). Additionally it is noted that each disc-receiving basket radial rib 48 has a middle section 52 which is connected to outermost section 50. Middle section 52 is angled about 30° with respect to outermost section 50.

FIGS. 11-13 are enlarged side elevation, top plan, and perspective views respectively of circular arrester-receiving member 44 which includes a plurality of angularly spaced apart (30° as shown) arrester-receiving stations 46, each of which is shaped and dimensioned to receive an arrester 34.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of upper assembly 24 with an arrester 34 positioned at a first arrester-receiving station 38A, and FIG. 15 is a side elevation view of disc golf target 20 with the arrester 34 positioned at the first arrester-receiving station 38A. It is noted that first arrester-receiving station 38A is the outermost receiving station 38 of the radial arrester-receiving member 36. As such, arrester 34 is positioned at the furthest location from pole 26 thereby resulting in the widest possible arrester configuration (i.e. the widest target for a player).

FIG. 16 is an enlarged side elevation view of the radial arrester-receiving member 36 of FIG. 14 with arrester 34 attached. Arrester 34 includes a hook 35 which removably connects to the hole of arrester-receiving station 38A.

FIG. 17 is an enlarged end elevation view of area 17 of FIG. 15. In the shown embodiment, the bottom of arrester 34 is connected to a ring 54 which is disposed around pole 26. Ring 54 is free to move up or down around pole 26 as a function of the height adjustment of pole 26 (refer to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5). As is shown in FIG. 20, all arresters 34 are similarly connected to ring 54.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the upper assembly 24 with the arrester 34 positioned at a second different arrester-receiving station 38B, and FIG. 19 is a side elevation view of disc golf target 20 with the arrester 34 positioned at the second arrester-receiving station 38B. It is noted that second arrester-receiving station 38B is closer to pole 26 than is outermost arrester-receiving station 38A as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. As such, arrester 34 results in a less wide (than FIG. 15) arrester configuration (i.e. a more narrow and difficult target for a player).

FIG. 20 is a side elevation of disc golf target 20 receiving a thrown disc 600. Shown are disc-receiving basket 22, upper assembly 24, and a plurality or arresters (chains as shown) 34 hanging from upper assembly 24. The motion of disc 600 is stopped when it strikes an arrester(s) 34. Disc 600 then falls down into disc-receiving basket 22. It is noted that the outermost section of disc-receiving basket 22 is substantially parallel to pole 26, and therefore tends to prevent disc 600 from rebounding out of disc-receiving basket 22.

In terms of use, a method for changing the height of a disc golf target 20 includes: (refer to FIGS. 1-20)

(a) providing a disc golf target 20 including;

-   -   a disc-receiving basket 22;     -   an upper assembly 24 connected to the disc-receiving basket 22         by a variable length pole 26 which allows a distance between the         disc-receiving basket 22 and the upper assembly 24 to be         changed;

(b) adjusting the variable length pole 26 so that a first distance D exists between the disc-receiving basket 22 and the upper assembly 24; and,

(c) after (b), adjusting the variable length pole 26 so that a second distance D1 exists between the disc-receiving basket 22 and the upper assembly 24.

And, a method for changing the width of a disc golf target 20 includes (refer to FIGS. 1-20)

(a) providing a disc golf target 20 including;

-   -   a disc-receiving basket 22;     -   an upper assembly 24 connected to the disc-receiving basket 22;     -   a plurality of arresters 34 which are connectable to the upper         assembly 24;     -   the upper assembly 24 including a plurality of angularly spaced         apart radial arrester-receiving members 36;     -   the radial arrester-receiving members 36 each having a plurality         of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations 38, each         arrester-receiving station 38 shaped and dimensioned to         removably receive an arrester 34,

(b) connecting an arrester 34 to an arrester-receiving station 38 of one arrester-receiving member 36; and,

(c) after (b), connecting the arrester 34 of (b) to a different arrester-receiving station 38 of the arrester-receiving member 36 of (b).

The embodiments of the disc golf target and method of use described herein are exemplary and numerous modifications, combinations, variations, and rearrangements can be readily envisioned to achieve an equivalent result, all of which are intended to be embraced within the scope of the appended claims. Further, nothing in the above-provided discussions of the disc golf target and method should be construed as limiting the invention to a particular embodiment or combination of embodiments. The scope of the invention is defined by the appended claims. 

1. A disc golf target, comprising: a disc-receiving basket; an upper assembly connected to said disc-receiving basket by a variable length pole which allows a distance between said disc-receiving basket and said upper assembly to be changed; a base connected to said variable length pole; said variable length pole including an upper pole which telescopes with a lower pole, said upper pole connected to said upper assembly but not to said base, and said lower pole connected to said base but not to said upper assembly; so that said variable length pole can be extended to move said upper assembly away from said base or contracted to move said upper assembly toward said base; and, said upper and lower poles longitudinally locked together when said variable length pole is extended and when said variable length pole is contracted.
 2. (canceled)
 3. The disc golf target according to claim 1, further including: a plurality of arresters which are connectable to said upper assembly; said upper assembly including a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members; said radial arrester-receiving members each having a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations, each said arrester-receiving station shaped and dimensioned to removably receive a said arrester; and, said arrester-receiving stations being holes which receive hooks disposed on said arresters, two said radial arrester-receiving members being connected to form a generally V-shaped structure; and, one of said two radial arrester-receiving members having four said holes and the other of said two radial arrester-receiving members having five said holes; and, each said radial arrester-receiving member being a flat member which has a rectangular cross section taken perpendicular to the length of the radial arrester-receiving member.
 4. (canceled)
 5. (canceled)
 6. (canceled)
 7. The disc golf target according to claim 1, further including: a plurality of arresters which are connectable to said upper assembly; said upper assembly including a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members; said upper assembly including a circular arrester-receiving member which can removably receive one or more said arresters; said circular arrester-receiving member connected to said radial arrester-receiving members; and, said circular arrester-receiving member including a plurality of vertical slits each of which accepts a said radial arrester-receiving member.
 8. (canceled)
 9. The disc golf target according to claim 1, further including: a pin which can be inserted from one side of both said upper and lower poles to the opposite side of both said upper and lower poles to lock said upper and lower poles together.
 10. The disc golf target according to claim 91, further including: when extended all of said upper assembly moving the same distance away from said disc-receiving basket, and when contracted all of said upper assembly moving the same distance toward said disc-receiving basket.
 11. (canceled)
 12. The disc golf target according to claim 1, further including: said upper pole being an inner pole which is received by said lower pole which is an outer pole; and, said inner pole including a plurality of through holes which can receive a pin to effect different distances between said upper assembly and said disc-receiving basket.
 13. The disc golf target according to claim 1, further including: a plurality of arresters which are connectable to said upper assembly; said upper assembly including a plurality of angularly space apart radial arrester-receiving members; said radial arrester-receiving members horizontally projecting from said upper pole and not being rotatable with respect to said upper pole; said radial arrester-receiving members each having a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations, each said arrester-receiving station shaped and dimensioned to removably receive a said arrester; said arrester-receiving stations being holes which receive hooks disposed on said arresters; said upper assembly including a circular arrester-receiving member which can removably of receive one or more said arrester; said circular arrester-receiving member connected to said radial arrester-receiving members; and, said circular arrester-receiving member including a plurality of vertical slits each of which accepts a said radial arrester-receiving member; and, when extended all of said upper assembly moving the same distance away from said base, and when contracted all of said upper assembly moves the same distance toward said base. 14.-17. (canceled)
 18. A method for changing the height of a disc golf target, comprising: (a) providing a disc golf target including; a disc-receiving basket; an upper assembly connected to said disc-receiving basket by a variable length pole which allows a distance between said disc-receiving basket and said upper assembly to be changed; a base connected to said variable length pole; said variable length pole including an upper pole which telescopes with a lower pole, said upper pole connected to said upper assembly but not to said base, and said lower pole connected to said base but not to said upper assembly; so that said variable length pole can be extended to move said upper assembly away from said base or contracted to move said upper assembly toward said base; (b) adjusting a length of said variable length pole so that a first distance exists between said disc-receiving basket and said upper assembly, and when so adjusted locking said upper and lower Doles together; and, (c) after (b), adjusting said length of said variable length pole so that a second distance exists between said disc-receiving basket and said upper assembly, and when so adjusted locking said upper and lower poles together.
 19. A method for changing the width of a disc golf target, comprising: (a) providing a disc golf target including; a disc-receiving basket; an upper assembly connected to said disc-receiving basket; a plurality of arresters which are connectable to said upper assembly; said upper assembly including a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members; said radial arrester-receiving members each having a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations, each said arrester-receiving station shaped and dimensioned to removably receive a said arrester; said arrester-receiving stations being holes which receive hooks disposed on said arresters; (b) connecting a said arrester to a said arrester-receiving station of one said radial arrester-receiving member, thereby establishing a first disc golf target width; and, (c) after (b), connecting said arrester of (b) to a different said arrester-receiving station of said arrester-receiving member of (b), thereby establishing a second disc golf target width which is different from said first disc golf target width.
 20. A disc golf target, comprising: a disc-receiving basket; an upper assembly connected to said disc-receiving basket; said upper assembly and said disc-receiving basket relatively positionable (1) to a first position wherein a first vertical distance exists between said upper assembly and said disc-receiving basket, and (2) to a second position wherein a second vertical distance exists between said upper assembly and said disc-receiving basket; a locking mechanism which (1) holds said upper assembly and said disc-receiving basket in said first position, and (2) holds said upper assembly and said disc-receiving basket in said second position; a plurality of arresters which are connectable to said upper assembly; said upper assembly including a plurality of angularly spaced apart radial arrester-receiving members; and, said radial arrester-receiving members each having a plurality of spaced apart arrester-receiving stations, each said arrester-receiving station shaped and dimensioned to removably receive a said arrester. 